ARIANNASIX MONTHS LATER "I'd be donating a sum of five million dollars to this foundation as my own way of empowering women to become stronger, more independent, more resilient in the face of challenges because....."I had barely even completed my speech on the stage when a wave of ovation took the air.Every one was cheering for me, calling my name and the cameras were flashing at I and Simon's direction.I stared down at Simon who seemed enthralled by the various lights flashing at him. I waited for the applaud to die down before I began speaking again."I had never things easy for me when growing up. And I know it's not easy for you all out there too, struggling in the face of economic challenges, marital issues, personal challenges and the likes but I do not want you to ever give up. Yes this is for all of you..." the ovation swept the air once more but I still kept on speaking."Don't ever give up. Because when life throws you lemons, you know what you do with it? You make fuc
ARIANNAThe blaring sound of the car horn shot through my ears in an instant. Quickly, I stood up from the bed in a bid to arrange the bed and dress the duvet properly.My heart thumped immensely within me and my regular anxiety began spreading through out my body once more. One would be wondering why I had become so tensed just by the sound of a car horn. Well any normal married woman in my shoes would be happy knowing that her husband was back home after his daily activities but not me.His mere name ignited fear in me and him being around caused me immeasurable pain and discomfort. I was married to the Business tycoon, Lucas Hilton. He was the CEO of "RED", a multimillion dollar wine company which had sales all around the world.Any woman would have loved to be known as the wife of Lucas Hilton. He commanded power, wealth and authority any where he went.But my marriage to this man was not the rainbows and roses that I pictured.He was initially engaged to Sabrina Riss, an inter
ARIANNA I rolled over to the other side of the bed with my eyes still shut, expecting to meet with the warm body of the man whom I called my husband. But unfortunately it was cold. As cold as ice. As if nobody had ever, ever laid on that part of the bed before. Wanting to not believe my guts, I used a hand and tapped on the side but I was only met with an empty bed space. The reality caused me to fly my eyes open, my chest heaving.Slowly I sat up, my eyes now darting to where Lucas would have laid on if he did spend the entire night with me. It was empty as expected. I stared at it in a daze, expecting Lucas to magically appear out of thin air on the bed but it was all just in my head. I thought it was a very horrible nightmare but this was my reality.Sadness washed upon my face and I snivelled, trying so hard to not even shed a drop of tear. I stood up dejectedly and walked into the spacious shower room. I needed to clear my head and a hot shower would probably do that. Pon
ARIANNAI sat on my matrimonial bed, my body was stiff as hell and my blood ran cold.Momentarily, I would shiver as a result of the chilly wind which seeped its way in through the partially thrown apart curtains.The lacy night gown I wore did justice in exposing a mild part of my bossomsMy hands would nervously trail to drag a part of the gown up to cover up my bossoms time and time again.My mum had picked it for me earlier when I went to my parents house. In her words, she said that I needed to look so sexy and alluring for my husband. I did not want to put this on but mum had insisted saying it will make Lucas realise what he was missing by not treating me well as his wife.I still could not believe what my married life had turned to.I never imagined to be married to a man who completely detests me and loathes me.He did not even have the decency to spend the entire night with me the last time we got intimate. It felt like a taboo to him.I had a feeling there was another woma
ARIANNA Marriage they say is the union of two souls, who would then become one.It was even orchestrated by God; a three fold cord with God as a witness with the numerous vows the husband would make to his wife and vice versa. If I remembered clearly, on the day of my marriage, Lucas vowed to always love me in every way irrespective of the trials we might face. He promised to also accord me with all the respect a husband would give to his wife.I was clearly overjoyed honestly. I thought we could build a family and those vows we took would keep us everlastingly tied to each other but I was such a big fool. Lucas shattered every ounce of hope I had in me that very day when he revealed how he truly felt about me.To him, I was nothing but a gold digger and a beggar.Well all that happened two years ago.And ever since then, we related like strangers in our own house. A lone tear slipped down my cheek as I reminisced about my past.I quickly cleaned it with the back of my palms
ARIANNA "What the hell are you doing here!?" Lucas thundered upon being interrupted by the sound of the food flask hitting the ground. The lady who he was having a hot make out with quickly averted her eyes from mine and tried buttoning up her shirt and adjusting her skirt. Filled with anger, I walked towards the door and banged it tight shut before facing my attention back at the disgusting site I just beheld."Now the only reason I locked that door is because mother is around and I do not want her to see the disgusting scene you are indulging in as a married man" I spoke through gritted teeth. Lucas had his nostrils flaring and his eyes were like balls of flames. "How dare you Arianna!? You literally brought my mother here with you huh? How many times have I warned you not to ever step feet in my company!? You come here for what reason? To spread your badluck and negative aura all over my workspace right?!" "Are you even listening to yourself at all Lucas?" I fought to co
ARIANNA It was a very bad idea again wasn't it? I just knew it was from the second mother suggested it. My heart drummed in my ears, a million fanatical inconsistent beats playing within me. Why did I even agree to going there? What was I even expecting in the first place?Did I really imagine that Lucas would welcome me with open arms? The same man forbade me from ever coming to his office and just the sight of my face irritates him to the core. A sound of displeasure left my lips as I pondered over what took place earlier this morning in Lucas' office.My own husband was caught red handed making out with a human and he showed no sign of remorse to it. Anxiety filled up my senses and nausea set in. What usually went on between him and his mistresses?Mistresses wow. A pained smile carved on my lips. I was sharing my husband with multiple women.No form of decency or respect for me as his wife whatsoever.Is this a marriage or hell in disguise of a marriage?How many more lover
ARIANNA Salty watery tears, fueled up in my ears as I stared at my reflection in the horizontal mirror in my closet. My fixed tourmaline gaze was on the awful beetroot red mark that Lucas slap had left engraved on my skin. My pain clogged my lungs, making it quite difficult for me to breathe for a brief moment.Slowly, my slender fingers caressed the mark and I winced in pain, shutting my eyes tight. Bruises which I got from his nails were still very much fresh, dried blood smearing their surface.Pushing back the clog that was in my throat, I let out a bright smile, one that was capable of hiding my pain. I was practicing on how I would react when I ran into Lucas again. I do not even think I would be able to face anyone this morning but I can not keep sulking about my unfortunate fate up here in my room. No. I will hold my head up high and walk down the stairs like nothing happened. As I thought of it all, tears struggled to break through the barrier of my eyelids but I bli
ARIANNASIX MONTHS LATER "I'd be donating a sum of five million dollars to this foundation as my own way of empowering women to become stronger, more independent, more resilient in the face of challenges because....."I had barely even completed my speech on the stage when a wave of ovation took the air.Every one was cheering for me, calling my name and the cameras were flashing at I and Simon's direction.I stared down at Simon who seemed enthralled by the various lights flashing at him. I waited for the applaud to die down before I began speaking again."I had never things easy for me when growing up. And I know it's not easy for you all out there too, struggling in the face of economic challenges, marital issues, personal challenges and the likes but I do not want you to ever give up. Yes this is for all of you..." the ovation swept the air once more but I still kept on speaking."Don't ever give up. Because when life throws you lemons, you know what you do with it? You make fuc
ARIANNAI never for once imagined I'd be delighted to see the home of the Hiltons ever again.I watched with relief as the broad gates of the mansion parted for Ian to drive in with I and Simon. Lucas and Rose followed us behind which gave me a sense of security and peace. Honestly I still felt alot traumatized and frightened. Even when Ian was still driving on the high way, I was always on the edge. My eyes would glance at everyone we passed in fear. I can't imagine the traumatic effects this would have on Simon. When I came back to America after six years, I never expected that this was what laid in store for me.From running into Lucas and Anne, to coming to work for them again, dealing with Anne's overbearing attitude and her schemes, finding out about the truth of her unborn baby and almost getting killed for it. Truly fate had outdone itself in this one.Ian drove his car into the parking area and came down to open up for I and Simon. It was already dusk by the time we ar
Rose sat in her room patiently in expectant of a call.She just knew her guts were right and Anne had proved her true. Yes, she still did not love Arianna that much to call her a friend but after all her tireless efforts to get her mother recovering again, this was the least she could do. Once in a while, she would glance down at her phone screen expecting to see Ian's caller Id pop up.She had tried calling him throughout yesterday but he was not reachable. She had to resort to texting him about the shocking information she had gotten from Anne. Ian did reply her text late at night. He apologised for not answering her calls as he had a very busy day and he promised to call her back the next morning which was what she was waiting for.Anne was clearly now more dangerous and cunny than Rose could ever imagine.Kidnapping Arianna was one thing but also kidnapping her little son? That was totally extreme.And time was running out fast. Anne was murderous at this point and Rose knew it
ANNEA Week LaterI listened and watched in disgust as Lucas ranted all over the place, yelling at the cops over the phone for their inability to find Arianna and Simon.It has been a week since she got missing and Lucas will not let anyone hear the end of it. He is always on his toes, calling the cops every now and then to get the latest info concerning Arianna's and her son disappearance. The police station is more or less his second home now and it pissess me off every fucking time. Why will Arianna not let me breathe properly in this house?!Even now that she ain't here, she still has my good for nothing husband in her captive, twirling him like a puppet.If not for the wealth, fame and recognition I get as being the daughter inlaw and wife of this family, I swear on everything I believe in, I would have left Lucas a long time ago.He is such a sorry ass of a man. All these gives me more resolve to end that lousy bitch and her fucking son. Hiring goons to kidnap them was literall
LUCAS I felt pissed and annoyed. Ever since I had that call with Ian, I was just not myself anymore.He was so possessive about her.I know they have a child together but I just can not come to terms with that fact. I care about Arianna too and not just him. But she will never notice that and I do not blame her either.I did so many awful things to her in the past which I am not proud of. Some times I just wish I could write back the hands of time and go back to the past to fix my mistakes. I would make sure I treat Arianna like a queen, adore and care for her like how any sane husband would do for his wife.Just the constant reminder of how happy she is now with Ian vexes me.And I am stuck with a wife as over bearing as Anne.Even now hours later, one would expect that my annoyance had cooled off but as I stepped foot inside the house, I seemed to get more tensed.With a dejected sigh, I climbed the flights of stairs, heading for my mother's room.Arianna must probably be feedi
ARIANNASleep eroded me, I could barely even concentrate on anything or anyone around me.I stayed awake the entire night, restless as ever and worried as hell.I have fucking screwed up. God! How did that I let this happen to me?How did I make such a terrible mistake? Oh man. My lack of sleep had caused eyebags to appear underneath my orbs, giving me a dull rimmed appearance.My hair was messy and disheveled, a testament to the anxiety I was currently facing.How could I let this happen? How did Anne get the test result before me?God dammit! I made sure to be very careful and diligent. I left no turn unturned in getting her to do that paternity test and now when I almost had it all in my grasps, it just slip out of my reach. Fuck I am going insane.I could barely sleep at all and the comfortable sheets of my bed felt like hot coals on my skin.Pushing the sheets of my leg, I stood up with rickety feet and slipped my legs in my footwear.I have not even informed Ian yet. How coul
"Mummy mummy" Simon eagerly shook Arianna, drawing her attention away from the double doors of the living room to her over energetic six year old son."What? What is it Simon?" Arianna replied absent mindedly. Her eyes trailed back towards the doors, restless as ever.Simon diverted his gaze to the doors, tilting his head to the side whilst wondering what captured his mother's attention at the door."Mummy what are you looking at?" Simon asked, his curiosity piqued.Arianna sighed heavily and stood up from the couch, her restless feet beginning to pace all around the living room. "Simon can you tell me what you want please darling?" Today was the day Anne's paternity test result was going to be delivered to the mansion.Sarah had texted her multiple times to be on the lookout for the test result so as not to get it delivered into the wrongs hands and today Anne had not left the mansion since morning.It all created huge waves of anxiety and restlessness in Arianna.Her feet eagerly da
ARIANNA"Is she still asleep?" Ian asked me as we drove to the hospital.I nodded, catching a sneak peak of Anne who laid fast asleep next to me in the car.I honestly can not believe I am so close to exposing her for the liar that she is. "Yes she is Ian. But you have to drive faster. We really need to get to the hospital before she wakes up" I responded back.Ian honked at the cars he felt that were blocking his path and drove further ahead, whilst I kept on keeping a careful eye on Anne to make sure she was not awake."What will you tell her if she ends up waking up at the hospital?" He asked me.I shrugged my shoulders at his question and a grin stole my lips, "That is not hard. I can just tell her she passed out and we drove her here for a checkup" "And what if she asks about her prodigal husband? What will you say?" Ian smirked."Really? Prodigal husband?" I laughed out."I am just saying what I feel he should be called" "Well I will just say that Lucas left for home to get h
ARIANNA"Ian I am serious. Lucas seems so genuinely sorry for everything. I could really feel his sincerity even from the way he spoke to me and from the look in his eyes. There was no hiding it" I spoke to Ian over the phone. My eyes would momentarily gaze down to stare at a sleeping Simon and to make sure he was not awake. I needed him fully asleep so that I could concentrate on the more serious issues at hand in order to pull off this plan I had. Today was the perfect day to launch it.Rose won't be coming back home tonight and Father was on one of his usual business trips.It felt like Lucas had left the running of the family's company to his sister and father.It is just going to be I, Lucas and Anne home.I just have to do this today because who knows when I will have this sort of opportunity!?"Arianna honestly I do not even know why we are spending our time trying to help him. If it were not for you, I would not even be the least interested because he deserves everything that